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Hello,
Wonder if anyone out there can help me with a Brandt V22AAWHU freezer problem.
Some weeks ago we found the freezer had stopped working and the contents were spoiled. I’ve been meaning to get it collected for recycling but never got ’round to it… Today whilst clearing the garage I thought I’d have a quick look at it before turfing it out.
The compressor does not appear to be running and the freezer stays at room temperature. However the two small LED’s at the top are on (green and red) and when I turn up the fast freeze control the yellow LED illuminates, so there is power to the unit.
Looking on the ‘net I see there is a PCB just behind the top front panel, where the LED’s/fast freeze control is located. Can anyone tell me how to access the top to get at this pcb? It appears to be quite a simple board with just a handful of components and as I worked in the electronics field I’d like to have a look at the board – just in case I can rescue the poor freezer!
Any help would be appreciated – especially as the wife is threatening to buy a new one… 😯
J
Re: Brandt V22AAWHU not working…
not much activity on this forum…
I had a good luck at the Brandt freezer and found out how to access the electronic control module, so just in case someone else has the same problem…
These modules often come up on Ebay and as the three small lights and the freeze control are actually on the board it was obvious that the board was at the top front of the freezer just behind the panel.
The small narrow panel carrying the name Brandt and the three coloured lenses is a push fit. It can be removed by ‘carefully’ placing a screwdriver or knife blade behind it at one of the ends, i.e. for example just to the left of the word Brandt and prising it away from the door. It’s a good fit and pretty tight so a bit of force is required. Once one end has been partly lifted run your fingers along the panel lifting it clear. It’s held in place by a number of small tabs but comes away reasonably easily, once you get it started.
Removing the panel reveals a couple of screws, once these are removed another plastic panel can be removed, this is also the width of the door and a couple of inches in height. NOTE – before this is lifted away the freeze control knob should be removed, this can be done by placing the screwdriver/knife blade behind it – it’s just a push fit. I found removing the panel a bit fiddly, it seemed to be catching near the door hinge but it does come away eventually.
The module is then revealed. Carefully remove all the wires that connect to the module, they can be lifted away from the board (some of these were pretty tight!). Note the colours and where they connect to, maybe use some insulation tape to help you remember… The two connectors at the right side of the board need to be squeezed before removing – look carefully you’ll see there’s a locking tab that needs to be pressed to release. The module itself is held in place by two small screws.
It’s a very simple module, only having a couple of transistors and an integrated circuit (IC) so I thought it could easily be serviced. However the IC appears to be a PIC – a special type of IC that can be programmed so replacing it with an ‘off the shelf’ device would not do – it would need to be programmed and that’s a pretty specialised job.
SO. I decided to send the module away for service and we’ll see what happens.
Re: Brandt V22AAWHU not working…
Further to my last post, I sent the module away for service. After re-fitting it worked as intended – just in time for Christmas!
I’ve seen various prices quoted for replacement modules from ~£60 to almost £100. Servicing cost me ~£40 so a decent saving there.
Incidentally the Company who serviced my board advertise on eBay, and probably elsewhere.
Good luck if you have the same problem, easy enought to sort out when you know how! 😆
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